IT'S ALIVE! ‘Young Frankenstein’ arrives at North Shore Music Theatre on Aug. 15

Friday

Aug 4, 2017 at 10:52 AMAug 4, 2017 at 10:52 AM

By Eleni Karavoussianis / northshore@wickedlocal.com

A Frankenstein re-imagining based on a Mel Brooks’ comedy changed into the form of a musical with the themes of love and acceptance? What’s there not to love?

“Young Frankenstein” will come alive at the North Shore Music Theatre, from Aug 15 through Aug. 27.

“Audiences are going to love Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein.’ He is truly a master of musical comedy and this is a great way to end the summer with a lot of laughs,” said Bill Hanney, owner of the North Shore Music Theatre, in a recent release.

“Young Frankenstein” is a re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend, based on Mel Brooks’ classic comedy film. This re-imagining follows Dr. Frankenstein as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork by bringing a corpse to life.

The show will consist of infectious songs such as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” all composed by Brooks’ as well.

“We have assembled the cast and creative team of the award-winning production of ‘Young Frankenstein’ I produced at Theatre By The Sea in 2015 and I can assure you that this will be a side-splitting night at the theatre that will be remembered for a long time to come,” Hanney said.

Brad Bradley will be in the role of Igor. Originally from San Diego, Calif., Bradley was doing musicals at the age of 11, was a backup dancer for Michael Jackson in a commercial at the age of 12, went to high school and college for acting, and ended up moving to New York City.

He’s been wanting to play Igor for years.

“I just fell in love with the role, I would probably be friends with him for being so sweet and accepting and in some ways the smartest person in the room, and he really thinks that about himself. He’s a loyal person and he wants to do whatever the doctor says,” Bradley said, “He is someone striving forth and doesn’t necessarily see his flaws, he doesn’t see himself as a hunchback. I think he’s funny and hysterical and all those things even when he’s a hunchback. He’s a joy to play.”

Bradley takes his inspiration from Marty Feldman’s role in the original film. Some of the stuff Bradley does in “Young Frankenstein” takes from Feldman’s performance and elicits laughs from people.

Playing to the crowd

The show is very different from the movie, but what is the same is that the production pays tribute to the original with the same gags and moments people want. The audience is bound to get a taste of Brooks and Feldman.

There is a benefit to the theater style of the North Shore Music Theatre, as well. Wherever an actor looks, there is an audience and all rules of normal theater are dropped. The actors are completely in the moment and therefore movements seem more naturalistic.

“I cannot wait to limp up and down the aisles as Igor because you are with the audience when you make your entrances and it’s fun to meet them,” Bradley said. “The audience is part of the show here, there’s no fourth wall that blocks them away.”

“There’s a joy about the production. It’s something people can just come in and it’s complete escapism and there’s a heart to it about finding your love and finding yourself and accepting yourself whether you are a monster of someone with a hunchbach,” said Bradley. “It’s a feel good musical and nothing about it is typical.”